IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkott on Monday 5 Menachem Av revealed his 5-year plan, the Gideon Plan, promising a more streamlined and efficient military by 2020. The plan was designed by a number of teams headed by members of the General Staff, involving team leaders of the rank of brigadier-general and major general. The plan will require government approval.

The commander is working to create a smaller and more professional combat army to the exclusion of many of the combatants serving today. In addition, support corps and other units will shrink as well as the IDF in 2020 will be more efficient and smaller in size.

Some of the highlights of the plan include:

· The dismissal of 2,500 professional soldiers.

· Dismissing 100,000 soldiers from reserve duty including the closure of the reservists in the Homefront Command and artillery units.

· Lowering the age of commanders in the field. While a battalion commander today may be 35 or older, in the new younger army he will be 32-years-old. Brigade commanders will drop to 40-42-years-old from today’s 45-years-old.

· Cutting commands by 6%.

· Cutting down non-essential units including the Education Corps, IDF censor, Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), IDF Rabbinate, and the advisor on women’s affairs.

· Establishing the Cyber Unit.

· Purchase of state-of-the-art drones and the advanced F-35.

· Purchase of submarines.

In a related matter, the first induction of the shortened service for men from 36 top 30 months reported for duty this week.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)